Button won the rain-affected race in a safety-car finish ahead of Alonso, with Felipe Massa in third. Webber finished fourth, with Nico Hülkenberg in fifth, after an impressive race ruined by a collision with Hamilton. Vettel's sixth place, achieved after an accident at the start, gave him the championship.

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Ahead of the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, Red Bull-Renault driver, Sebastian Vettel leads the World Drivers Championship by 13 points from Spaniard, Fernando Alonso. The championship would be decided at this race. No other drivers are in contention for the title. Following Vettel's 2nd place at the United States Grand Prix, Red Bull have secured the Constructors' Championship, holding an unassailable lead of 73 points ahead of Ferrari.

The São Paulo circuit remains mostly unchanged from last season, although the grandstands have been moved back slightly around the Subida dos Boxes section due to numerous major incidents, including a number of fatal accidents, in the last couple of years. As a result, there will be more run-off around this section of the circuit. Also as a reaction to this, the DRS zone will be moved to the straighter Reta Oposta between turns 3 and 4.

Pirelli provided teams with early 2013 prototypes during Friday practice.

Early weather indications shown a high probability of rain throughout the weekend, which may be a contributing factor in the championship battle.